Preservation Assessment for the Northern Arizona University Cline Library Special Collections and Archives

A preservation assessment of approximately 12,000 linear feet of publications, letters, diaries, ledgers, photographs, oral history interviews, films, maps, and electronic records, all dealing with the history of the Four Corners' region. Consisting of both the university's institutional records and privately donated materials, these collections shed particular light on the history of the American Southwest with a particular emphasis on land use and the environment. For example, the collection of photographer Tadd Nichols includes images, diaries, letters, articles, and films on early Colorado River trips through the Grand Canyon, the culture of local Native American tribes, the flora and fauna of the state, archaeological sites, and old railroads.

Cline Library at Northern Arizona University seeks the services of a preservation specialist to undertake a preservation needs assessment of its Special Collection and Archives materials (textural, photographic, audiovisual). These collections provide a valuable overview of the diverse region known as the Colorado Plateau, a 130,000-square-mile area that encompasses the four corners region of the American Southwest. Seven unique physiographic sections, twenty-four distinct Native American Tribes, Bands and/or Communities, twenty-seven national parks and monuments, and numerous protected wilderness areas are found within its borders. The preservation specialist will undertake a thorough analysis of these holdings and present storage conditions and provide recommendation in a written report for improvements. This report will emphasize practices that complement the University and its commitment to sustainability. It will also assist the Cline Library with future grant opportunities.